2023 NFL Offseason: Sean Payton’s Broncos among five teams poised to make a big leap next season

The 2022 NFL season is on the books after the Chiefs won their second Lombardi Trophy in four years on Sunday night. Now is the time Look forward to the 2023 off-season. We don’t yet know which big names will be moving via trade or free agency, and we don’t yet know which teams will be scrapping the hottest prospects in the April draft. But we can still make educated guesses as to which clubs are best positioned to make real steps forward next season.

Here are five early tips to make a big leap in 2023:

Record 2022: 3-14

We’re a little hesitant to hurl flowers at a regime that has purposely ignored Justin Fields’ murky supporting cast through 2022, but this time general manager Ryan Poles would have to try not to improve given the amount of space he has to line up the young quarterbacks. Fields was at MVP level as a sophomore, even as coach Matt Eberflus continued to risk injuring the QB late in the season in the name of pride. As long as Fields’ protection and weaponry improves in the slightest, there’s no reason to think Chicago can’t spoil the NFC North. Eberflus’ young defense can’t be much worse.

Record 2022: 5-12

It doesn’t get much more uninspired than 2022’s “Offensive,” produced by Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson. The latter remains, but if anyone is looking to get the ex-Seahawks star back in shape, it’s Sean Payton, whose public conviction as the new head coach is backed by a resume that was already there. Incidentally, Wilson cannot be more sluggish than under Hackett; Assuming he’s rightfully switched to more run-heavy play-action scripts with a healthier Javonte Williams, Denver still has the basic elements on defense to keep up with the Chargers and Raiders in the AFC West.

Record 2022: 4-12-1

This team’s QB carousel eventually ripped itself to pieces, leaving GM Chris Ballard poised to focus on a longer-term investment down the middle, especially with the No. 4 overall draft pick in tow. Regardless of which prospects land on their radar — Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis look like logical targets, assuming Alabama’s Bryce Young is gone — they are, too Back to the comfortable tradition Trading offensive coordinators with the Eagles. New coach Shane Steichen, the chief play-caller for a flexible Philly offense that has featured Jalen Hurts as an MVP threat, should have enough Pro-Bowl-caliber playmakers across the board (i.e. Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner) to restore hope of an open AFC South.

Record 2022: 7-10

The New York narrative – just a QB away! — has been repeated so many times that we become a little suspicious of its truth. Your O line, for example, remains a question mark. And the new offensive coaching pairing of Nathaniel Hackett and Todd Downing only sounds intriguing if the inevitable QB complement is a whopper, like Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson. On the other hand, even a smaller name like Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo is likely capable of taking this club above .500. In a division where the Patriots are still retooling and the Dolphins are banking on Tua Tagovailoa’s availability, her young talent in so many places — running back, wide receiver, pass rusher, cornerback — suggests she really is a contender can be with a top -15 signal caller.

Record 2022: 5-12

You could call that an excuse considering they were Super Bowl champions a year ago, but then again…was that just a year ago?! So much has gone wrong for LA in 2022 that GM Les Snead may actually be in seller mode(!) to reclaim much-needed assets for the remaining time with Sean McVay at the helm. However, with the McVay-Matthew Stafford combo back and the O-Line presumably in better health along with No. 1 wideout Cooper Kupp, it’s hard to believe they’d be able to play at the NFC West, where the Cardinals are. won’t be back in the mix , 49ers and Seahawks all have different but big question marks on QB.